(+) The homestay’s location is ideal: It’s
near Han-River (great for taking walks or walking to the swimming hall at
Jamsil). COEX, a Lotte Supermarket and a Paris Baguette are nearby for shopping
and eating out or going to the movies. And last but not least Bongeunsa Station
on Line 9 is nearby; too, so fast transportation via express train is
available.

(+) The apartment is quiet and furnished very
nicely. The bed was cozy and the big table in my room good for studying. WiFi
was very fast. The apartment was always kept spotlessly clean by my host
(despite the two cats!). Everything I needed for my stay was provided – towels,
cosmetics and so on. Ms Kim not only did the laundry for me but also my dishes
if I wasn’t fast enough to do them myself!

(+) Ms Kim is a very considerate person
despite being busy: On my arrival she made time during her lunch break, picked
me and my luggage up at the Metro Station and explained her apartment and the
gadgets there to me (we don’t use water purifiers or the Korean kind of gas
stove in Germany). Even before my arrival she had already inquired on what I
like for breakfast (and provided me with everything I requested). Though she
must have been tired out because of her long work hours she never once failed
on her perceived host duties: stocking up food, cleaning, providing information
I requested and making sure I was doing well.

(+) I like being on myself. So I really liked
having the pretty apartment and the two cats to myself during daytime!

(?) I can’t figure out myself whether it is a
plus or a minus that Ms Kim is fluent in English. On the one hand I might have
learnt more Korean if I would have been forced to speak more often, on the
other hand communications in English were so smooth that we could cover a lot
of topics I would not have been able to cover in Korean at all…

Ms Kim worked full time and finished work
at seven or even later during the week. Despite that she often made time for me
– we dined out together several times, went to the movies as well as to Hanwha
Fireworks Competition, Bongeunsa Temple and Namsan Tower together and had a
really great evening at a cultural event, watching a play with historical
instruments, traditional dancing and singing. Ms Kim took me to a traditional
old market, too. If we met at home in the evenings, Ms Kim explained on Korean
matters (e. g. about the educational system in Korea), on television news I
couldn’t understand and on Korean food). She even brought samples (e. g. of
acorn jelly - 도토리묵) or cooked dinner/breakfast for me.
She also helped me with learning Korean vocabulary and got information for me
on things I wanted to do. I really appreciate the efforts Ms Kim made for
ensuring that I had a great time in Seoul!

Your service is great. I appreciate it very
much that you ensured contact with my host when my e-mails didn’t go through to
her and when you checked on my host during my stay – she told me about that. It
felt really safe to book with you. I will certainly book via HomestayKorea
again!